245 THE NESTS AND EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



localities in the Highlands, Up to the present time it 

 is certainly known to breed in Sutherlandshire, Argyle- 

 shire, and Perthshire. It seems probable that the bird 

 is on the increase as a breeding species in our area, and 

 may yet be detected doing so in Ireland. 



Breeding habits : The favourite breeding-haunts of 

 the Goosander are open swampy forests full of lakes 

 and rockbound streams. It is not improbable that this 

 species pairs for life, and yearly resorts to one locality 

 to breed. The nest is generally placed in a hole in a 

 tree, but in localities where such is not available, a cleft 

 or crevice in a rock or cliff, or a cavity amongst exposed 

 tree-roots by the water-side is used instead. The nest 

 is slight, especially when in a hole in a tree, when the 

 dust at the bottom serves for the bed of the first eggs, 

 but as the full clutch is laid, a warm lining of down is 

 added. The bird is a close sitter. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of the Goosander are from eight to twelve in 

 number ; sometimes thirteen have been found. They 

 are creamy-white in colour, glossy, and smooth in 

 texture. Average measurement, 27 inches in length, 

 by rS inch in breadth. Incubation, presumably per- 

 formed entirel}' by the female, lasts twenty-eight days. 



Diagnostic characters : The situation of the nest, 

 the colour of the down (tufts large, and uniform grayish- 

 ^\■hite), and the creamy tint of the eggs prevent any 

 confusion with those of other allied species breeding in 

 our area. 



